Graduate Students

Pearl Eliadis on Defending Charter Rights and Challenging the Notwithstanding Clause

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:26:42 +0000

June 11, 2025 | Pearl Eliadis will join a virtual panel discussion hosted by the Task Force on Linguistic Policy on June 11 at 7:30 PM for Your Rights, Notwithstanding. This timely and thought-provoking event will explore the history and evolution of the Notwithstanding Clause, how it has been used by Québec in recent years, the risks it poses to Charter-protected rights, and the growing legal and civic efforts to push back against its unchecked use.

Vincent Rigby on the Challenges Ahead for the Canada-EU Defence Pact | Expert Group on Canada-US Relations

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:45:02 +0000

June 2025 | Vincent Rigby, alongside other senior experts, co-authored a white paper analyzing the Canada-EU Security and Defence Partnership. While the agreement aims to reduce reliance on U.S. defence suppliers and expand access to the European market, the report warns that its success is far from guaranteed. Rigby and his co-authors highlight major fiscal and political barriers, including Canada’s underinvestment in defence, EU divisions over spending targets, and implementation hurdles in aligning procurement and supply chains.

Chris Ragan on Why Central Bank Independence Matters Amid Political Pressure | The Financial Post

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:21:43 +0000

August 8, 2025 | Christopher Ragan was quoted by The Financial Post in the context of Ontario Premier Doug Ford publicly urging the Bank of Canada to cut interest rates—a move the article compares to Donald Trump’s public pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve. Ragan emphasized that central bank independence from “day-to-day politics” is crucial for maintaining market and economic confidence.

Jennifer Welsh on Building a Canada–Mexico Alliance in the Trump Era | The Globe and Mail

admin — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:48:33 +0000

September 18, 2025 | In an article for The Globe and Mail, authors Jennifer Welsh and Denise Dresser argue that Canada and Mexico must deepen their partnership to tackle the challenges posed by Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies and security agenda. After decades of neglect, both countries are realizing that their economic and diplomatic futures are tied together, especially as the United States reopens talks on the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Vincent Rigby on Canada–India Relations and National Security Tensions | CTV News

admin — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 16:40:04 +0000

October 21, 2025 | Vincent Rigby discussed on a panel with fellow former national security advisors Jody Thomas and Richard Fadden on CTV’s Power Play with Vassy Kapelos about the increasingly strained relationship between Canada and India. The panel explored issues of trust following the expulsion of Canada’s last envoy to India and examined broader national security concerns shaping the bilateral relationship.

Neil Bouwer and Gabriel Blanc on Rethinking Cabinet Process Under Prime Minister Carney

admin — Mon, 26 May 2025 21:52:16 +0000

May 22, 2025 | In an op-ed for Policy Magazine, MPP ’25 Gabriel Blanc and Visiting Professor Neil Bouwer highlight why the way decisions are made in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet matters just as much as who is making them. They explain how Carney has brought back a more traditional cabinet structure, with focused committees aimed at setting priorities and managing operations. While they welcome some changes—like new committees on national security and government efficiency—they raise concerns about the removal of others, such as the committee for Canada-U.S. relations.

Vincent Rigby on 76th NATO Summit | CDA Institute

admin — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:41:52 +0000

June 23, 2025 | Professor Vincent Rigby, a former NSIA to the Prime Minister, along with Kerry Buck, a former Canadian Ambassador to NATO and Former Assistant Secretary General, Defence Investment, Wendy Gilmour joined the CDA Institute Expert Series to discuss the key issues, challenges, and likely outcomes of this year’s Summit for Canada and the Alliance in this podcast.

Jennifer Welsh on Canada’s Role in Filling the Global Leadership Void | The Red Passport Podcast

admin — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:42:10 +0000

July 31, 2025 | On The Red Passport Podcast, Jennifer Welsh joins Louise Blais, Jeremy Kinsman, and Peter Donolo to discuss the consequences of the United States abandoning its traditional role in global leadership. Together, they reflect on what this shift means for today’s major international challenges — and how countries like Canada can help fill the gap.

Vass Bednar, Denise Hearn, and MPP Shane Joy Named Hunter Prize Finalists | The Hub

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 19:07:05 +0000

September 6, 2025 | The Hub has announced the 10 finalists for the third annual Hunter Prize for Public Policy, which awards $50,000 in cash prizes for bold ideas to address Canada’s stalled GDP per capita growth and improve living standards.

Current Master of Public Policy student Shane Joy was selected for his proposal to create a Canadian Productivity Commission, an independent body that would analyze national productivity trends, assess sectoral performance, and advise on reform opportunities. His idea is aimed at tackling Canada’s long-term productivity challenges.

Norman Hillmer on Canada becoming the 51st State of the US | LCSC

admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 15:01:41 +0000

March 10, 2025 | Norman Hillmer, a Slater Family Visiting Scholar spoke on “Canada as the 51st State? A History and a Reckoning,” at the Laurier Centre for the Study of Canadian History, Wilfrid Laurier University. President Donald Trump wants Canada to be his 51st State. This isn’t the first time that an American leader thought this way.

Asif Khan on Why the Canada Disability Benefit Falls Short Without Urgent Fixes | Policy Magazine

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:01:42 +0000

May 19, 2025 | MPP ’21 Asif Khan in Policy Magazine critically examines the long-awaited rollout of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). While the federal government has promoted the CDB as a landmark anti-poverty initiative, Khan argues it falls drastically short. Capped at just $200 per month, the benefit will only lift a fraction of working-age Canadians with disabilities out of poverty in its first decade.

Isabella Coronado Doria MPP '25 on Canada’s Need for Stronger Online Safety Laws | Policy Magazine

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:16:18 +0000

July 20, 2025 | MPP 25 Isabella Coronado Doria wrote an opinion piece for Policy Magazine addressing the urgent need for stronger regulation of digital platforms to protect children’s mental health and safety. The article highlights the tragic story of Sewell Setzer, a 14-year-old who developed a harmful virtual relationship with a chatbot, leading to his suicide and a lawsuit against the platform for inadequate safety measures.

Pearl Eliadis on the Risks of Quebec’s Secularism Report | CBC

admin — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:57:07 +0000

August 28, 2025 | In a story reported by CBC, a Quebec government committee has issued 50 recommendations, including extending the religious symbols ban to subsidized daycares and requiring people to uncover their faces for public services. These proposals have drawn criticism from community leaders, who argue they discriminate against religious minorities, particularly Muslim women.

Pearl Eliadis on the Role of Human Rights Commissions in Post-Genocide Rwanda | Global Justice Journal

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:12:08 +0000

June 2025 | Pearl Eliadis recently authored a journal article published in the Global Justice Journal by Queen’s University Faculty of Law comparing the post-genocide roles of Rwanda’s National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), both established under the 1993 Arusha Accords but with markedly different approaches. The NURC was closely controlled by the government and focused on promoting national unity through civic education and social programs.

Pearl Eliadis on Challenging Quebec’s Bills 21 and 96 at the UN | City News Montreal

admin — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:42:05 +0000

July 12, 2025 | Pearl Eliadis spoke to CityNews Montreal about the potential to challenge Quebec’s Bills 21 and 96 before the United Nations Human Rights Committee. Eliadis explained that bringing the case to the UN would aim “to get the UN committee's view” on whether the laws violate international human rights obligations. The interview highlights growing legal interest in using international mechanisms to confront the controversial legislation.